This site is about my life growing up and growing old in Mathews County,a rural, water-bound community on the way to nowhere in particular.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Deltaville

This was supposed to be a seagull flying in just the right spot at just the right time, except Chesapeake Bay Woman snapped the photo at just the wrong time. Mr. Seagull was supposed to be further along in his flight plan, at a higher elevation. Oh well.

The Blog Festers will recognize this as the place we spent the last afternoon and evening of the 2009 Blog Fest.

Speaking of Blog Fest, if you're interested in attending, click here to view the 2010 information site. Right now, we're a bit sparse on information, but that doesn't mean there isn't information to share.

What it means is Chesapeake Bay Woman can't even maintain can barely maintain anything one blog, much less two. In a couple of weeks I'll post a proposed schedule of fun-filled events which may or may not include a ghost, a cheeseburger boat, highway-hogging fiddler crabs, karaoke, tall tales, scenic vistas, the scent of warm pound cake, and a goose--with his own Facebook page--gone mad.

Getting back to the picture above, this is Hills Bay off Gwynn's Island. A lot of things converge here besides bloggers once a year. The Chesapeake Bay is off to the right; the Piankatank is slightly to the left; my creek is further down to the left; and Deltaville is right there. Aaaall the way back where those trees are.

That horizon is Deltaville.

One of our newer commenters, Jamie, has a blog about Deltaville called Deltaville Vignettes. Although Jamie and I have not met yet, we speak the same Tidewater language. Deltaville is so much like Mathews that her stories are a familiar song to me.

Recently, I learned something very valuable from her. She educated me on the more civilized way of addressing a sting from a nettle. We won't discuss the cruder method, although those who attended Blog Fest last year should recall that a cup was involved in the procurement of the remedy.

Blogfest '09- I remember yelling "Stop the car" and scaring poor Momx2 to death! But I just had to leap out and get the pictures of the fiddler crabs for my daughter! Oh... and I remember someone telling me how shallow Hills Bay was and how I shouldn't be scared of going in. She was so sweet!

Sorry Jamie, your comments are great, but I hate Deltaville (and X live's over there) I best not talk about it it would not be nice. OK I have to ask Mrs F what the HELL is a DOCK LEAF. Being a water ski bum back in the day (I love back in the day) I think I have tried just about every remedy their is for Stinga nettles (Stinga Nettles and some other four letter words are what we call them).They hurt!!!( get one in your eye if you want to feel something real good.CBW and AM I know you have been there, done that it last for days)Any way their is only one remedy that works for me and some other nuts I mean friends. You have to whipp it out and let the flow go on the sting ( or if you were a female pull it to the side and let it flow) I know,I know this sounds gross but this remedy Has been pass down for generations and it works. I bet ya"ll are asking your self: did he put it in his eye? well if I could have got the flow right I would have, thats how bad it stung!And this business of using a cup, cups are made for mix drinks OHHH! maybe I got the two confused? Maybe thats why I have and X living in deltaville. Sorry if I grossed any one out but I tell it like it is. True Ghost story Sunday I promise. MM

CBW if I'm still allowed at blogfest after the stinga nettle comment I have some jet skis line up and a quick fishing trip would not be a problem if anyone is willing to get up at 5am. LOL I know you are time limited just let me know.

Thanks for the shout out CBW I'm sooo loking forward to blogfest! MM- its ok, I hate the whole state of NC for the same reasons, perhaps I can have my dog out some "stinga nettle" remedy all over her flowers.

Mathews Mark - In fact, your stinging nettle remedy was exactly what I was referencing when I said a cup was involved in the procurement....last year someone had to relieve themselve in a cup so we could use it for the person whose legs were on fire. It was quite the production.

I definitely want to take you up on the jet skis and possibly the fishing trip. Right now it's too far off for me to get my arms around, but maybe we can have our next planning meeting at the Sandpiper and Big Hair can meet us there. She's the organized half of this Blog Fest planning committee.

BHE-See above - maybe after NYC we can schedule another one.

Grandma J. - NYC isn't until second weekend in Feb. I'm starting to get nervous.

Mrs. F. - I'm so disappointed you can't make it. But as I've said before it doesn't have to be blog fest for you to visit. Yes, what IS dock leaf?

Diane-That was the best. That whole incident with the water and the depth really made a lasting impression on me, because it never would have occurred to me that anyone would be afraid of it being too deep.

MPM-Me either.

Jamie-I just love Deltaville, esp. the ball park. Taylor's should be on the national registry of historic buffets, although it's not the same any more. What I wouldn't give for one more Friday night standing in line there, salivating over the hugh puppies and shrimp.

Daryl-Anywhere! I don't care, really. Just so thrilled to be there, won't care if I was in the subway station the whole time. As long as wine was available, that is.

OK, here's what has just happened to me. Still clothed in my pajamas (of course because after all it's the weekend and getting dressed is optional), I walked outside to bring the dog in. As I'm walking towards the house, pajamas flying in the breeze, I hear my name being shouted from across the creek. There's a group of 4-5 people on the banks of the cemetery hollering my name. Mortified, I waved and continued on into the safety of my home. I can't see that well and have no idea who it was. But now I'll think twice about going outside in my pajamas.

Thing to do/get before leaving for NYC: 5 cases of beer,6 bags of ice,leave liquor cabinet unlocked,50 bags of pork rins, book a band,get your boat fixed,coolers, 35 T bones, gas for the grill, toilet paper, Ibuprofen. PUT beer and steaks in coolers ice down leave on deck fire grill up(make sure it works) give MM keys to house,boat and car. Let him know when the band will show up!!! then don't worry about a thing while on your trip!!!! LOL MM PS call all of MM nuts (friends) for him!! tell them where you live and when you are leaving

CBW- Funny, I was looking through the Portrait of Deltaville book last night and started telling my kids all about the buffet (which I pronouced Buff-it). It was the best! I remember going with my whole family and having massive shrimp shell mountains on the table. Now the closest thing is the Pilothouse over in Topping by the bridge.... now I'm drooling

CBW- OMG I LOVED Taylor's hush puppies!! They were the BEST. Do you remember sometimes they had entertainment? I vaugely remember having the singers sing for my aunt's birthday. Very sad when they sold it and the buffet disappeared.

PS, I was the one who held up the privacy sheet during Operation Nettle Sting Relief. But my part in the operation was small compared to Noe Noe's. I'm sure she and Audrey would love to hear all about the alternative remedy.

My husband finished his military career at Bolling AFB, DC and he then went to work in Arlington for 17 years. We lived in Shady Side MD, just south of Annapolis. The one and only thing we DO NOT miss is the traffic in No.Virginia. Thanks for sharing the gorgeous photo.